Abstract: A process and apparatus for collecting continuous fibers or filaments as a uniform batt comprises a filament emitter in the form of a spinning die, a venturi, a diffuser, and a fiber collection bed. The filaments move downward after being created by the emitter, and exhaust ports create in the diffuser an airflow having a direction against the flow of the filaments so that the filaments are decelerated before contacting the fiber collection bed.

Abstract: New sensors and methods for qualitative and quantitative analysis of multiple gaseous substances simultaneously with both high selectivity and high sensitivity are provided. The new sensors rely on a characteristic difference in energy between the interaction of a particular substance with a catalyst coated heat transfer device (HTD) and a non-catalyst coated (or one coated with a different catalyst) reference HTD. Molecular detection is achieved by an exothermic or endothermic chemical or physical reaction between the catalytic surface of the sensor and the molecule, tending to induce a temperature change of the sensor. Both high temperature and non-destructive low temperature detection are possible. The magnitude and rate of endothermic or exothermic heat transfer from a specific molecule-catalyst interaction is related to molecular concentration.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating disease caused by infectious agents, particularly tuberculosis. In particular, methods and compositions comprising substituted ethylene diamines for the treatment of infectious diseases are provided. In one embodiment, these methods and compositions are used for the treatment of mycobacterial infections, including, but not limited to, tuberculosis. In certain embodiments, the present invention comprises compositions comprising novel substituted ethylene diamine compounds further comprising antitubercular agents such as rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating disease caused by infectious agents, particularly tuberculosis. In particular, methods and compositions comprising substituted diamines for the treatment of infectious diseases are provided. In one embodiment, these methods and compositions are used for the treatment of mycobacterial infections, including, but not limited to, tuberculosis.

Abstract: A system for dissipating sound shock waves within a vehicle tire includes a wheel upon which a tire is mounted to create an internal air chamber defined by the wheel and the tire. A flow-resistant barrier is coupled to the wheel or the tire and defines an air cavity within the internal air chamber. The barrier comprises a material that provides an acoustical resistance to sound shock waves passing therethrough. The air cavity defined by the barrier has a volume such that air within the cavity offers relatively small impedance to the passage of shock waves through the barrier and into the air cavity. The barrier also can produce frictional heat when displaced by a shock wave, thereby converting energy of the shock wave to heat to reduce noise associated therewith.

Abstract: A product catalog system includes a product catalog having information regarding products for sale online by various merchants. The product catalog system transmits information regarding products in response to queries for a target product and also transmits information regarding products that serve as alternatives to the target product. The product catalog system includes a product alternatives module that identifies product alternatives based on information regarding a multitude of received queries and information regarding products that were selected from other products presented in response to the queries. The alternatives module computes an association weight for pairs of products that indicates the likelihood that the two products are alternatives. This association weight is based on the query and product information and further based on the number of times that the two products were the subject of a comparison query.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for removing films and deposits from stainless surfaces, especially from stainless metallic surfaces such as they are used in process stations and production units in the pharmaceutical, food and biotechnological industries, and to an aqueous cleaning solution comprising a reducing agent, in particular dithionite and/or disulfite, and at least two different complexing agents, wherein one of these complexing agents is a compound comprising diacetic acid groups or a salt thereof, for removing rouging on surfaces of stainless steels that come into contact with media selected from the group of chromium/nickel and chromium/nickel/molybdenum steels in the neutral pH range.

Abstract: Managing the lifecycle of a card software application received from a remote trusted service manager (TSM) for a secure element of a contactless smart card comprises receiving, from the remote TSM, a card application and an instruction for performing a function on the card application. The card application comprises account information of one card instrument and an application identifier (AID). The instruction is rendered in the secure element to perform the function on the card application. The card application is registered in a control application of the secure element using the AID. The control application comprises a list of AIDs of previously received and registered card software applications and a card application status tag for each of the listed AIDs. The card application status tag of the registered card application is updated in the control application based on the function performed.

Abstract: A product catalog system includes a product catalog having information regarding products for sale online by various merchants. The product catalog system transmits information regarding products in response to queries for a target product and also transmits information regarding products that serve as alternatives to the target product. The product catalog system includes a product alternatives module that identifies product alternatives based on information regarding a multitude of received queries and information regarding products that were selected from other products presented in response to the queries. The alternatives module computes an association weight for pairs of products that indicates the likelihood that the two products are alternatives. This association weight is based on the query and product information and further based on the number of times that the two products were the subject of a comparison query.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fertilizer composition comprising a water-insoluble slow-release reacted nitrogen fertilizer and an effective amount of a water-soluble, non-aromatic poly(amino acid) of the group poly(aspartic acid), poly(glutamic acid), poly(glycine), poly(lysine) a copolymer of cystein and glutamic acid and a terpolymer of cystein and glutamic acid and aspartic acid, wherein the poly(amino acid) has a molecular size larger than that which can be absorbed by a plant. A method of making and using the fertilizer composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for secure user authentication in electronic commerce involves maintaining electronic information having a first aspect that is accessible over a first electronic communication channel in response to entry of a first credential known to the user and a second aspect that is accessible by the user over the first electronic communication channel in response to entry of a second credential provided to the user at a pre-registered delivery address on a second electronic communication channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for enabling users to select from available secure service providers (each having a Trusted Service Manager (“TSM”)) for provisioning applications and services on a secure element installed on a device of the user. The device includes a service provider selector (“SPS”) module that provides a user interface for selecting the secure service provider. In one embodiment, the SPS communicates with a key escrow service that maintains cryptographic keys for the secure element and distributes the keys to the user selected secure service provider. The key escrow service also revokes the keys from deselected secure service providers. In another embodiment, the SPS communicates with a central TSM that provisions applications and service on behalf of the user selected secure service provider. The central TSM serves as a proxy between the secure service providers and the secure element.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating mammalian diseases or conditions characterized by undesirable angiogenesis by administering an effective amount of a compound of the formulae: wherein Ra is selected from —OCH3, —OCH2CH3 or —CCCH3; and Z is selected from >C(H)—OH, >C(H)—O-alkyl, >C(H)—O-sulfamate, where alkyl is a linear, branched and/or cyclic hydrocarbon chain comprising 1 to 10 carbons.

Abstract: Disclosed are protein kinase inhibitors of Formula Ia and Ib, compositions comprising such inhibitors, and methods of use, thereof. More particularly, these compounds and compositions are inhibitors of Aurora-A (Aurora-2) and Aurora-B (Aurora-1) protein kinase. Also disclosed are methods of using these compounds and compositions to prevent and treat diseases associated with protein kinases, especially diseases associated with Aurora-A or Aurora-B, such as cancer.